Pets

Wow George, thats going to be no fun....sounds like a curfew is due to them cats....my cat is only about a year old, chases bees and flys, the best part is I dont have to walk him like the dog...we've had to keep the animals inside because of all the dirty air from the fires in Cali, there going nuts and looking at me like I'm the bad guy....I swear Tyson (the dog) is hurt from not having his nightly run at the park, he gives me that look of "geez dad, what did I do wrong?"....anyhow, turn on "Sloe Gin", that will mellow you out when your cleaning...hope your body is getting back to normal from the time change

Later gater....Dave

Wow George what a mess !  We adopted 2 stray cats we found in the yard - they are
mainly house cats now much to their disappointment - but they have snuck out a couple
times and brought me "presents" but never anything like that!  That poor bird !
Jaci

Hi George. You must be a very heavy sleeper, that fight must have made quite a racket!
Talking of poor birds I have been looking after my neighbour's two aviaries while he is away. One of them has a mixture of canaries and budgies with some hens and pheasants. One of the canaries has a nest with a baby bird in it. Well it did...I went in on Friday and found the baby was on the floor and was being pecked in the head by one of the other birds. It was still alive so I replaced it in the nest not sure if it would survive or not. Went back about three hours later and mum was sitting on it .. all looked to be well.
When I went in yesterday the first thing I did was to check the nest and to my dismay it was empty. I looked everywhere but there was no sign of the poor thing. I reckon the other birds had eaten it. I guess it really is survival of the fittest in the animal kingdom...still I was quite sad.
Your cats were only doing what comes naturally but I hope for your sake that next time they take the fight outside. Do they make muzzles for cats?

Tripsy

I miss my Pepper kitty who was killed almost 4 weeks ago now.  Haven't been on the board much in this time nursing my broken heart.  One of the joys in my life was taken from me but time is starting to allow me to start feeling and recognizing the other joys I still have in my life.

I have composed a poem in memory of my kitty as part of my therapy.

"SWEET MISSY PEPPER"

Adopted, a fuzzy little kitten, named Peppermint Patty,
Oh, the joy we all had as you became part of the family.
Almost 16 years gone since the little girl brought you home,
The years passed by and you both have grown.
We gave you food and love, that was our duty,
But you gave us so much more, happiness and comfort, even when
you were snooty.
You were a furry giant in the dollhouse door,
Til one day you did not fit, banned evermore.
The girls they teased you with tape down your back,
The man claimed to hate you, as with all cats.
But it was clear and evident right from the start,
That your kitty ways would become ingrained in our hearts.
You dipped your orange paw in the water bowl to check the level before you would drink,
You waited for me to finish showering to catch drips from the bathroom sink.
You peered over my shoulder while I put on my makeup,
Your incessant preening and licking we could not interrupt.
You rolled to and fro on the floor looking so cute,
A nose meet followed by a forehead nuzzle, a friendship I cannot refute.
You waited patiently as I finished my evening meal,
And my last bite was your signal to meow with a zeal.
I look for you little eyes to peer over the sofa arm,
Waiting for my tap to signal the alarm,
Its okay to to jump into my lap and make yourself comfortable,
But sometimes you would not wait, my little lap warmer.
You jumped on the bed to bid me a good night,
Before you settled in the corner chair with your cushy bed just right.
Sometimes in the night you sneak back up and snuggle and purr by my side,
I knew and let you be, but the man, he could not abide.
You hated the noisy hairdryer, the rustling of plastic bags, the mans guitar, but we teased you any way,
A scowl you would give us as you scurried away.
You bobbing inquisitive face in the french door window pane out back,
Beconing us to let you in for your afternoon snack.
You did not deserve your final end and fate was cruel to you that horrible day,
Terror on eight legs invaded you world and took you away.
I am so truly sorry no one was there to save you, protect you and keep you from harm,
I wish so very much to hold you and comfort you in my arms.
I miss you so much and a day does not go by that I do not think of you and cry,
A pat on your head, a tug on your ear, your happy gurgly sound, your funny face nearby,
The house seems less of a home and so very empty,
With out the presence of our Pepper kitty,
You are not there to lap up the tuna water in your black bowl,
To soak up the sun beaming on the dining room floor.
Wait for us Sweet Pepper as you frolic in eternal grassy fields chasing feathers in the wind,
Be comforted in the knowledge your family will join you in their final end,
Time is of no value there so it will be a swish of you tail with the orange tip,
But an eternity for us as we mourn, but we will never forget.

Nice tribute Margie. We had a scare yesterday as our aged and tiny Yorkie Pip, who usually goes to work with his "mom" was having a bout of intestinal distress from some cat offal he found and was left home. He decided being left home alone was not cool and took off, escaping via the kitty door in the gate. Something he's never done before. Luckily a passing bicyclist spotted him and asked a neighbor, who returned him last night.
Rick

A snake I've had since 1989 named Monty Python. (ball python)
I have a 3yr old French Bulldog named Dr. Lexi. I just call her "the doctor" LOL

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

It's Me - so sorry about your sweet kitty.  Amazing how these guys creep into our hearts.  Time heals.

I haven't had a pet for years (grew up with dogs, cats, birds, fish) but recently adopted a 6 year old Maine Coon cat.  I am enjoying him so much (even though he seems to like to sleep a lot and EAT a lot)  that in the few months that I have had him I can't imagine losing him.  Can't imagine 16 years of loving gone.    Big hugs to you.

Sandy

I'm SO sorry to hear of your loss... I confess I didn't put 4+4 together to realize exactly what took your poor kitty.

Our pets are so amazing how they almost literally "get under our skin." It's almost as if they become a part of us, of who we are. When they are gone, it almost feels like we have lost an arm or a leg. But for cats especially, the relationship they have with their humans is so much more intimate because they do not (usually) share their affection with strangers. No one else can understand that relationship.

We have lost two cats and one dog, two from long illnesses, and one from a shockingly short one, totally unexpected. When the last passed, for about three weeks the house felt cold and empty; finally Jocelyn could stand it no longer, and we soon had a new pair. They were so sweet and gentle that we adopted two more. But that's our limit. The four we have we guard like gold, and they seem to understand and reciprocate in kind. They cannot replace the ones we lost, and they never will, but all the same they have become integral, treasured members of our household, and have become as irreplaceable as the ones who came before.

Mourn your friend for whatever period is appropriate for you. As you said, grief is personal. Don't rush yourself. But when you're ready, rest assured there's another friend somewhere nearby, waiting, in a shelter or rescue, for their forever home... with you.